AK Travels Limited

Summary

• Organisers: World Bank, Republic of Korea Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), and National Information Society Agency (NIA)
• Programme: GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration
• Location: Republic of Korea
• Expected Venue: Seoul, subject to confirmation
• Dates: 7–11 December 2026
• Eligible Applicants: Government institutions in low- and middle-income countries
• Team: Two government officials per selected country
• Funding: Fully funded participation, including international travel and accommodation
• Language: English, with Korean-English interpretation
• Countries Selected: 5–7 countries
• Application Deadline: 2 October 2026
• Results Notification: 16 October 2026
• Final Roadmap Submission: 23 January 2027

About the Scholarship/Programme

The World Bank, together with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA), is inviting government institutions from low- and middle-income countries to apply for the GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration.

This is not a conventional scholarship for individual students. It is a specialised professional programme for government teams that are developing, piloting or deploying artificial intelligence solutions to address public-sector challenges.

The programme focuses on practical implementation rather than AI theory alone. Selected teams will learn from Korean public-sector institutions that have implemented AI systems at scale and will work with Korean and World Bank experts to develop an implementation roadmap for their own initiative.

Eligible initiatives may cover areas such as public financial management, civil service and human resources, citizen services, civic technology, procurement, anti-corruption, transparency and other public administration applications.

Up to 5–7 countries will be selected, with one two-person team representing each selected country.

Scholarship Benefits

The programme is fully funded for selected participants.

The official World Bank information confirms that the programme covers:

• International travel for the two selected team members.
• Accommodation during the bootcamp.
• Visa facilitation, including official invitation letters and coordination with relevant Korean authorities.
• Participation in the five-day technical bootcamp.
• Korean-English interpretation during sessions.
• Direct engagement with Korean government and private-sector practitioners.
• Technical workshops with World Bank and Korean AI experts.
• Development of a practical AI implementation roadmap.
• Potential follow-up technical support after the bootcamp.

The post-bootcamp support is not guaranteed. Up to three countries may receive additional technical assistance depending on the quality and viability of their initiatives and available resources.

No direct financial support is provided after the bootcamp.

Who Can Apply?

Only government institutions in low- and middle-income countries, as classified by the World Bank, can apply.

NGOs and international organisations cannot apply on behalf of a government.

The applying institution must have an AI initiative at the concept, prototype, pilot or deployment stage that addresses a specific public-sector governance or administrative challenge.

Each application must nominate two people:

1. A policy leader with genuine decision-making authority over the AI initiative.
2. A technical practitioner directly involved in designing, implementing or overseeing the technical aspects of the initiative.

The technical practitioner does not have to be a programmer. They may be a data analyst, system administrator, technically experienced project manager or professional directly overseeing a technical vendor.

Applicants must be comfortable participating in English. Korean language ability is not required.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Identify an Eligible Government Initiative

The government institution should have a specific AI-enabled public-sector initiative at the concept, prototype, pilot or deployment stage.

Step 2: Build the Two-Person Team

Select a policy leader with decision-making authority and a technical practitioner directly involved in the initiative.

Step 3: Demonstrate Institutional Support

The proposal should demonstrate genuine institutional backing.

Supporting evidence may include:

• Senior leadership endorsement.
• Budget allocation or documented budget commitment.
• Inter-agency agreement or MOU.
• Cabinet or ministerial decision.

At least one supporting document must be attached.

Step 4: Prepare the Proposal

The application asks applicants to explain:

• The public-sector challenge.
• The proposed AI solution.
• Technical and data readiness.
• Institutional support.
• Implementation risks.
• Learning objectives.
• Planned next steps.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Applications must be submitted through the official online submission form in English.

The deadline is 2 October 2026.

Step 6: Attend the Bootcamp if Selected

Selected teams will travel to Korea for the five-day programme from 7–11 December 2026.

Full attendance is required.

Step 7: Develop the Final Roadmap

Participating teams are expected to submit a final AI initiative implementation roadmap after the bootcamp.

Important Deadline

Application Deadline: 2 October 2026

Other official dates include:

• Call launched: 12 August 2026
• Results announced: 16 October 2026
• Seoul Bootcamp: 7–11 December 2026
• Final Roadmap Submission: 23 January 2027
• Selection of Follow-Up Support Teams: 13 February 2027

Official Application Link

Official World Bank GovTech AI Bootcamp page:

Official Application Form:

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

This opportunity is specifically for government institutions, not individual applicants.

The strongest applications will demonstrate a clearly defined public-sector problem, a realistic AI-enabled solution, technical feasibility, available data, strong institutional backing and a credible pathway toward implementation.

The World Bank’s selection committee will assess proposals across four equally weighted areas:

• Public Value and Impact — 25 points
• Specificity of Problem Definition — 25 points
• Technical Feasibility and Data Availability — 25 points
• Risk Management and Governance Arrangements — 25 points

Applicants should therefore focus on a specific initiative rather than submitting a broad or purely conceptual AI proposal.

Selected teams will receive fully funded participation in the five-day Korea bootcamp, including international travel and accommodation. Korean-English interpretation will also be provided, so Korean language ability is not required.

The application deadline is 2 October 2026.

Website: http://www.aktravelsltd.com